California Governor Gavin Newsom’s press office is under fire after a social media post directed at Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem sparked accusations of threatening rhetoric and led to a formal investigation request by federal authorities. The controversy unfolded on September 20, 2025, when Newsom’s official press account posted on X (formerly Twitter): “Kristi Noem is going to have a bad day today. You’re welcome, America.”
The timing of the post could hardly have been more sensitive. It came during a weekend of national mourning for conservative activist Charlie Kirk, whose recent assassination in Utah has already heightened anxieties about political violence in the United States. In this charged atmosphere, the message from Newsom’s team was quickly seized upon by critics as an implicit threat, igniting a firestorm of condemnation from Republican officials and members of the Trump administration. According to CNN, the acting U.S. Attorney for the Central District of California, Bill Essayli, promptly referred the post to the Secret Service, requesting a “full threat assessment.”
“We have zero tolerance for direct or implicit threats against government officials,” Essayli declared in a statement on X, echoing the seriousness with which federal authorities are treating the matter. The Secret Service confirmed receipt of the referral and, in a statement reported by Fox News, stressed, “To preserve operational integrity, we are not able to comment on specific protective intelligence matters. However, the Secret Service must vigorously investigate any situation or individual, regardless of position or status, that could pose or be perceived as posing a threat to any of our protectees. Especially in a politically charged climate, such as this.”
Homeland Security spokesperson Tricia McLaughlin was among the first to respond publicly, calling the post “ugly” and accusing Newsom’s staff of hiding behind their screens to “spew this kind of vitriol.” She added pointedly, “You would never have the guts to say this to her face.” White House Director of Communications Steven Cheung also weighed in, denouncing the message as “beyond the pale and totally disgusting,” particularly given its proximity to Kirk’s memorial. “This is what happens when Gavin Newsom lets deranged Leftist lunatics post messages on his behalf,” Cheung wrote.
Newsom’s press office, facing mounting backlash, issued a clarification hours after the original post. They asserted that the message was not intended as a threat but rather as a reference to new immigration legislation signed by the governor that day. The legislative package, which Newsom unveiled at a press conference with community members and lawmakers, includes provisions to protect California’s immigrant communities and specifically bans federal law enforcement officers from wearing masks while carrying out official duties. “We celebrate that diversity. It’s what makes California great. It’s what makes America great. It is under assault,” Newsom said at the event, as reported by Fox News. “This is the United States of America, and I’m really proud of the state of California and our state of mind that we’re pushing back against these authoritarian tendencies and actions of this administration.”
Still, the clarification did little to quell the outrage among Newsom’s critics. Republican California Assemblywoman Kate Sanchez told Fox News Digital, “Our Governor can’t keep his foot out of his mouth,” warning that such remarks only increase the likelihood of future political violence. The episode highlights the deep polarization gripping American political discourse, with each side quick to interpret the other’s words as dangerous or incendiary.
Newsom himself responded to the criticism with characteristic defiance. In a social media reply to McLaughlin, he used a popular Spongebob meme text font to mock the accusation: “tHiS ReAdS LiKe a tHrEaT.” He also posted a screenshot of a Vanity Fair article contrasting Trump’s support for January 6 rioters with his condemnation of former Representative Liz Cheney, who had previously faced threats for criticizing the former president. According to Nexstar Media, this approach is emblematic of Newsom’s increasingly combative social media style, often mirroring the tactics of his political adversaries.
The incident is just the latest flashpoint in a series of escalating confrontations between Newsom and Trump-aligned Republicans. Earlier this year, Newsom clashed with the Trump administration over the deployment of National Guard troops and Marines to California cities without the governor’s approval. He subsequently filed lawsuits challenging what he described as unlawful federal overreach and has used his platform to lampoon the former president’s social media habits and controversial decisions.
Political analysts say the stakes for rhetorical missteps have never been higher. Former DHS adviser Charles Marino told CNN, “The threat level has never been higher in the United States.” He cautioned that inflammatory language from public officials, regardless of intent, is “not helpful” and urged a return to “maturity and civility” to help lower the nation’s collective temperature. “There needs to be a cooling down here. There is responsibility on the part of politicians, and they need to own that and act accordingly,” Marino said.
The broader context only amplifies the sense of unease. The assassination of Charlie Kirk, a prominent Trump ally, has prompted renewed calls for increased security for public officials and a sobering reflection on the consequences of unchecked political rhetoric. Members of Congress have joined the chorus, demanding that both parties tone down their language and recognize the potential for words to inspire real-world violence. As reported by CNN, Republican Representative Anna Paulina Luna placed blame for Kirk’s death squarely on what she characterized as inflammatory Democratic rhetoric.
This is not the first time a high-profile social media post has drawn the scrutiny of federal investigators. Earlier this year, the Department of Homeland Security and the Secret Service examined a photo posted by former FBI Director James Comey that some interpreted as a veiled threat against President Trump. Comey later deleted the post, explaining that he was unaware of the violent connotations some associated with the numbers he posted. The incident underscores the heightened sensitivity to perceived threats in the current climate.
For Newsom, the controversy arrives at a pivotal moment. Widely seen as a leading Democratic contender for the 2028 presidential race, he faces the challenge of navigating a political landscape where every word and tweet is subject to intense scrutiny—and where the line between sharp political critique and dangerous rhetoric is increasingly blurred.
As the Secret Service continues its assessment and both sides dig in their heels, the episode serves as a stark reminder of the risks and responsibilities that come with political leadership in an age of hyperpartisan media and instant communication. Whether this latest dustup will lead to any formal action against Newsom’s press office remains to be seen, but the debate over the boundaries of political speech—and the dangers of crossing them—shows no signs of abating.
